Sensor washing device

ABSTRACT

A sensor washing device that includes a washer housing that has a ring portion and a fluid source attachment. The fluid source attachment is configured to receive fluid. The ring portion has a main opening for receiving a detecting head of the sensor, an attachment side configured for mounting the washer housing, and a washing side configured to frame the detecting head of the sensor. The washing side is in fluid communication with the fluid source attachment. A plurality of nozzles are disposed in a transition portion of the washer housing between the ring portion and the fluid source attachment of the washer housing. The plurality of nozzles are configured to discharge fluid to the washer side radially inwardly towards the main opening for cleaning the detecting head of the sensor.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/428,706, entitled Camera Lens Washing Device,filed on Feb. 9, 2017, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/267,938, entitled Camera Lens Washing Device,filed on Sep. 16, 2016, the subject matter of each of which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for effectively andefficiently washing a vehicle component or instrument, such as a sensor,mounted on the vehicle, where the device has a simplified design with noimpact on the detecting function of the sensor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Instruments associated with vehicles, such as sensors and cameras, oftenbecome dirty due to environmental and weather conditions, therebyimpacting safe driving. Cleaning devices exists to address this problem.See, for example, U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2016/0103316 toRousseau, U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2016/0101735 toTrebouet, U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2016/0001330 to Romacket al, U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2015/0344001 to LopezGalera et al., U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2015/0343999 toLopez Galera et al., U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2015/0203077to Gokan, and U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2011/0292212 toTanabe et al., the subject matter of each of which is hereinincorporated by reference. However, such conventional cleaning devicesare often ineffective, bulky, and obstruct the sensor's head or camera'sfield of view.

Therefore, a need exists for a washing device that effectively andefficiently cleans the detecting head of a vehicle sensor that also hasa compact profile and does not obstruct the detection function of thesensor's head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention may provide a camera lens washingdevice that includes an outer housing that has a main opening forreceiving a camera lens, an attachment end configured to mount to acamera housing of the camera lens, and an exposed end remote from theattachment end. The exposed end includes an end face that has a recessedarea extending inwardly therefrom. An inner ring is received in therecessed area of the outer housing which is configured to frame thecamera lens. A plurality of nozzles are defined between the outerhousing and the inner ring. The plurality of nozzles are configured todischarge fluid radially inwardly towards the camera lens. The innerring may be substantially stationary with respect to the outer housing.

The present invention may also provide a camera lens washing device thatincludes an outer housing that has a main opening for receiving a cameralens. The main opening has opposite top and bottom sides. The outerhousing also has an attachment end configured to mount to a camerahousing of the camera lens and an exposed end remote from the attachmentend. The exposed end includes an end face that has a recessed areaextending inwardly therefrom. An inner ring is received in the recessedarea of the outer housing which is configured to frame the camera lens.A plurality of nozzles are defined between the outer housing and theinner ring. The plurality of nozzles may be disposed at or near the topside of the main opening of the outer housing such that the plurality ofnozzles are configured to discharge fluid radially inwardly towards thebottom side of the main opening of the outer housing.

The present invention may further provide a camera lens washing devicethat comprises a unitary one-piece washer housing that includes a ringportion and a fluid source attachment. The ring portion has a mainopening for receiving a camera lens, an attachment side configured formounting the washer housing, such as in a shroud, and a washing sideconfigured to frame the camera lens. The washing side is in fluidcommunication with the fluid source attachment. A plurality of nozzlesare disposed in a transition portion of the washer housing between thering portion and the fluid source attachment of the washer housing. Theplurality of nozzles are configured to discharge fluid to the washerside radially inwardly towards the main opening for receiving the cameralens. In a preferred embodiment, the washer housing is a compact design.

The present invention may yet further provide camera lens washing devicethat comprises a shroud that has a front face, a rear opening oppositethe front face, and an inner receiving area therebetween. The front facehas a lens opening for receiving a camera lens. A washer housing isdisposed in the receiving area of the shroud. The washer housingincludes a ring portion and a fluid source attachment. The ring portionhas a main opening that is generally aligned with the lens opening ofthe shroud for receiving the camera lens, an attachment side that isconfigured to mount the washer housing to the shroud, and a washing sidethat is configured to frame the camera lens. The washing side is influid communication with said fluid source attachment. A plurality ofnozzles are disposed in a transition portion of the washer housingbetween the ring portion and the fluid source attachment of the washerhousing. The plurality of nozzles are configured to discharge fluid tothe washer side and radially inwardly towards the main opening forreceiving the camera lens. In a preferred embodiment, the washer housingis a compact design such that when received in the shroud, the top wallof the shroud covers the fluid source attachment which extends throughthe rear opening of the shroud.

The present invention may still yet further provide a sensor washingdevice that includes a washer housing that has a ring portion and afluid source attachment. The fluid source attachment is configured toreceive fluid. The ring portion preferably has a main opening forreceiving a detecting head of the sensor, an attachment side configuredfor mounting the washer housing, and a washing side configured to framethe detecting head of the sensor. The washing side is in fluidcommunication with the fluid source attachment. A plurality of nozzlesmay be disposed in a transition portion of the washer housing betweenthe ring portion and the fluid source attachment of the washer housing.The plurality of nozzles may be configured to discharge fluid to thewasher side radially inwardly towards the main opening for cleaning thedetecting head of the sensor.

The present invention may also provide a sensor washing device thatcomprises a sensor that has a detecting head; a shroud that has a frontwall, a rear wall opposite the front wall, and an inner receivingportion, where the front wall preferably has an opening that receivesthe detecting head of the sensor lens; and a washer housing that iscoupled to a front face of the receiving portion of the shroud. Thewasher housing includes a ring portion and a fluid source attachment.The fluid source attachment is configured to receive fluid. The ringportion preferably has a main opening generally aligned with the openingof the front wall of the shroud, an attachment side configured to mountthe washer housing to the shroud, and a washing side that frames thedetecting head of the sensor where the washing side is in fluidcommunication with said fluid source attachment. A plurality of nozzlesmay be disposed in a transition portion of the washer housing betweenthe ring portion and the fluid source attachment of the washer housing.The plurality of nozzles may be configured to discharge fluid to thewasher side and radially inwardly towards the main opening that framesthe detecting head of the sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendantadvantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawing figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camera lens washing device accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is side elevational cross-sectional view of the camera lenswashing device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the camera lens washing deviceillustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a housing subassembly of the camera lenswashing device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the housing subassemblyillustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a camera lens washing device accordingto an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the camera lens washing deviceillustrated in FIG. 6;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views a camera lens washing deviceaccording to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the camera lens washing device illustratedin FIGS. 8A and 8B;

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the camera lens washing deviceillustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, showing the device without the camerafor clarity;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational cross-sectional view of the camera lenswashing device illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, showing the devicesupported by a vehicle camera module;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are perspective views of a washer housing of thecamera lens washing device illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a shroud of the camera lenswashing device illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the camera lens washing deviceillustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, showing the device supported by thecamera module;

FIG. 15 is a exploded perspective view of a sensor washing deviceaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 16A and 16B are front and rear perspective views of the assemblyof the sensor washing device illustrated in FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures, the present invention relates to a washingdevice 100 (FIGS. 1-5), 100′ (FIGS. 6 and 7), 100″ (FIGS. 8A-14), and/or100″′ (FIGS. 15, 16A, and 16B) for a camera lens 10 or a sensor 20, suchas for a camera or sensor mounted on a vehicle. Both the washing device100, 100′, 100″ for the camera lens and the washing device 100″′ for thesensor, have a simplified design while providing improved washing of thecamera lens or sensor head without impeding that field of view of thecamera lens or the detecting function of the sensor head.

As seen in FIGS. 1-7, the camera lens washing device 100 and 100′generally includes an outer housing 102 and an inner ring 104 thatcooperate with one another to form multiple nozzles 106 therebetweenthat are preferably disposed around a top side of the camera lens 10 fordischarging fluid, such as water or other lens washing fluid, radiallyinwardly and toward the camera lens 10 for cleaning the same. Thewashing fluid is preferably under pressure to be distributed through thenozzles 106 creating multiple fluid jets from different locations towardthe center of the camera lens 10. The camera lens washing device 100 and100′ has an improved compact design and camera field of view.

Outer housing 102 generally includes a main body 110 that may besubstantially ring shaped and includes a main opening 112 therein forreceiving the camera lens 10. One end of main body 110 is an attachmentend 114 configured to mount to a camera housing 12 of the lens 10. Theother end of main body 110 is an exposed end 116, as best seen inFIG. 1. In one embodiment, attachment end 114 includes one or morelatching arms 118 that extend from main body 110 in a direction awayfrom exposed end 116 for snap fitting onto the camera housing 12.Alternatively, attachment end 114 may include other known methods ofattachment, such as screw fastening or adhesive. Main opening 112 ofouter housing 102 includes a top side 120 and an opposite bottom side122. A fluid source attachment 124 is provided in the outer housing 102that is configured for engagement with a fluid source, such as a waterhose or line. Fluid source attachment 124 may be an extension with aninner bore 126 in fluid communication with the nozzles 106. Fluid sourceattachment 124 is preferably located at the top side 120 of main opening112 in outer housing 102 to allow the fluid to flow downwardly towardsthe nozzles 106.

Exposed end 116 of outer housing 102 includes an end face 130. Arecessed area 132 extends inwardly from end face 130 for accepting innerring 104. Extending inwardly from main opening 112 are spaced tabs 134which define fluid path slots 136 therebetween, as best seen in FIGS. 4and 5, which are in fluid communication with fluid source attachment124. Spaces tabs 134 may be located adjacent to recessed area 132.Remote from the spaced tabs 134 on main body 110 is an alignment member138 for aligning inner ring 104 with respect to outer housing 102.

Inner ring 104 is configured and sized to frame the camera lens 10, asbest seen in FIG. 1. Inner ring 104 is preferably formed separately fromouter housing 102 and is received in recessed area 132 of outer housing102. Inner ring 104 may be fixed to outer housing 102, such as by laserwelding inner ring 104 in recessed area 132 or by other knownattachments. Inner ring 104 includes a mounting face 140 (FIG. 5) thatengages recessed area 132 and an opposite exposed face (FIG. 1) 142. Aninner diameter surface 144 of inner ring 104 is between mounting face140 and exposed face 142. In a preferred embodiment, exposed face 142 ofinner ring 104 does not extend beyond and is substantially flush withend face 130 of outer housing 102, as seen in FIG. 2, thereby notnegatively impacting the camera's field of view.

A plurality of channels 150 are provided in inner diameter surface 144of inner ring 104, as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. Channels 150substantially align with fluid path slots 136 of outer housing 102 toform the nozzles 106. Each channel 150 substantially aligns with one ofthe fluid path slots 136 to form one of the nozzles 106. Each channel150 preferably extends into mounting face 140 of inner ring 104 and mayinclude a step 152 to facilitate fluid flow through nozzles 106.

Remote from channels 150 is an alignment member 154 that corresponds toalignment member 138 of outer housing 102 to ensure proper alignmentbetween inner ring 104 and outer housing 104 to form the nozzles 106. Inone embodiment, alignment member 154 may be a protruding flange (FIG.5), for example, and alignment member 138 may be a cut-out in main body110 sized to accept flange 154, or vice versa. The alignment member 138preferably includes a channel that allows the fluid or water from thefluid source attachment 126 to pass therethrough to the channels 150 andslots 136 of nozzles 106.

Other alignment or keying methods may be used as long as channels 150and slots 136 are substantially aligned in order to form the nozzles106. Nozzles 106, including tabs 134 and channels 150, are preferablylocated at or near the top side 120 of main opening 112 such that fluidfrom fluid source attachment 124 can flow downwardly through slots 136and channels 150 so that nozzles 106 discharge the fluid directly ontothe camera lens 10. And because nozzles 106 are on the top of the lens10, gravity will subsequently wash away the fluid from the lens 10. In apreferred embodiment, none of the nozzles 106 are located at the bottom,that is the bottom side 122 of the main opening 112 such that thenozzles 106 are only provided near or at top side 120. The nozzles 106may be evenly spaced from one another and radially arranged with respectto the lens 10, as best seen in FIG. 4.

A sealing member 160 (FIG. 3), such as a seal ring, may be provided onattachment end 114 to seal the plurality of channels 150 and slots 136between inner ring 104 and outer housing 102.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the camera lenswashing device 100′. Camera lens washing device 100′ is substantiallythe same as the camera lens washing device 100 of the first embodiment,except that the outer housing 102′ thereof includes shroud extension 200for attaching to a camera module 14 that supports the camera lens 10.Shroud extension 200 replaces latch arms 118 and may include anengagement member 202, such as a plurality of teeth, for engaging thecamera module 14. Shroud extension 200 is extends away from the exposedend 116 of outer housing 102′ and is preferably sized to substantiallysurround the camera lens.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9-11, 12A, 12B, 13 and 14 illustrate yet another exemplaryembodiment of a camera lens washing device 100″ in accordance with thepresent invention. Camera lens washing device 100″ has fewer componentsand provides a fluid source attachment that is positioned inside of theshroud 200″ (FIG. 10) resulting in a more compact design overall. Theshroud 200″ is configured to mount to the camera module 14 that is inturn mounted to the vehicle, such as at the tailgate of the vehicle. Byproviding a more compact camera lens washing device 100″ with the fluidsource attachment inside of the shroud 200″, the existing vehiclestructure, such as the tailgate structure, is not affected and requiresno modification to mount device 100″. For example, no additional holesare needed in the tailgate structure, which is typically sheet metal, tomount the compact camera lens washing device 100″, as seen in FIG. 14.By eliminating the need for additional holes in the tailgate structure,integrity problems associated with holes located too close to the weldsof the tailgate structure can be avoided. Additionally, this compactdesign also avoids the difficultly in punching holes in the tailgatestructure due to the welds thereof have hardening the structure and thelimited space for the holes.

Camera lens washing device 100″ comprises a washer housing 800 thatincludes a ring portion 802, a fluid source attachment 804, and atransition portion 806 therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, washerhousing 800 is a unitary one-piece member. The unitary one-piece washerhousing 800 may be formed by a molding process, for example. Ringportion 802 generally includes a main opening 810 for receiving thecamera lens 10, an attachment side 812 for mounting housing 800 toshroud 200″, and a washing side 814 that frames the camera lens 10 andis in fluid communication with fluid source attachment 804 throughtransition portion 806. The attachment side 812 preferably includes oneor more engagement members 830 for engaging shroud 200″. The engagementmembers 830 may be snap legs, for example, that extend from attachmentside 812. A sealing member 840, such as a rubber gasket, may be providedon the inner surface 842 of ring portion 802 around main opening 810 toseal the area behind washing side 814.

Fluid source attachment 804 of washer housing 800 extends fromtransition portion 806 in a direction away from washing side 814 andtoward the direction in which attachment side 812 faces, as best seen inFIG. 12A. Fluid source attachment 804 may be, for example, a hoseportion of washer housing 800 that extends from transition portion 806and accepts the fluid for washing the camera lens 10.

One or more nozzles 820 are disposed on transition portion 806 at thetop 816 of ring portion 802 on the washing side 814 thereof. Each nozzle820 is designed to discharge fluid received from fluid source attachment804 generally radially inwardly and downwardly towards main opening 810and the camera lens 10, in a similar manner as the above embodiments.The bottom 818 of the ring portion 802 does not include any nozzles 820.That is, the nozzles 820 are disposed only at or near the top 816 ofring portion 802. Bottom 818 may include a lateral slot 822 (FIG. 12B)that facilitates the molding process when forming washer housing 800.

As seen in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the one or more nozzles 820 are defined byone or more tabs 824 extending from transition portion 806 toward mainopening 810. The tabs 824 define fluids path slots 826 therebetween ofnozzles 820 which direct the fluid towards camera lens 10 (FIG. 11). Arecessed area 828 may be provided at the top 816 of ring portion 802adjacent or near the tabs 824 to facilitate fluid flow to main opening810.

Shroud 200″ generally includes a front face 900, a rear opening 902opposite the front face 900, an inner receiving area 906, oppositesidewalls 910 and 912 extending between front face 900 and rear opening902, and top and bottom walls 914 and 916 extending between sidewalls910 and 912, as best seen in FIG. 13.

Front face 900 has a lens opening 906 sized to accept ring portion 802of washer housing 800 and the camera lens 10. As seen in FIG. 11, ringportion 802 is positioned in lens opening 906 such that washer side 814of ring portion 802 is generally flush, that is flush or nearly flush,with front face 900 of shroud 200″. Lens opening 906 includes an openextension 922 adapted to receive transition portion 806 of washerhousing 800. The inner surface 920 of lens opening 906 includes one ormore engagement members 930 corresponding to the one or more engagementmembers 830 of washer housing 800. Engagement members 930 of shroud 200″may be one or more tongues on which the snap legs of the engagementmembers 830 of ring portion 802 can snap to secure housing 800 to shroud200″. It will be appreciated that engagement members 830 and 930 may beeither one of a tongue or snap leg and may be any other knownengagement, as long as housing 800 is attached to shroud 200″.

Washer housing 800 is compact in nature such that it can be receivedinside shroud 200″, that is in inner receiving area 904, such that fluidsource attachment 804 does not extend through or from any walls,including front face 900, sidewalls 910 and 912, and top and bottomwalls 914 and 916 of shroud 200″ and instead only extends through rearopening 902. In other words, as best seen in FIG. 10, fluid sourceattachment 804 can extend through the shroud's rear opening 902 forattachment to a fluid source with the top wall 914 of shroud 200″covering fluid source attachment 804. When installing the camera intothe shroud's receiving area 904, the camera abuts the attachment side812 of washer housing 800 such that the camera lens 10 is received inthe main opening 810 of washer housing 800. Once the camera isinstalled, a locking bracket may be used to secure the camera in placein the overall camera module 14.

FIGS. 15, 16A and 16B illustrate yet another exemplary embodiment of awashing device 100″′ of the present invention in which washer housing800 may be used for cleaning a vehicle component, other than a cameralens, such as sensor 20, namely an ultrasonic sensor, an infraredsensor, and the like. Washing device 100″′ may include a shroud 200″′that supports washer housing 800 and facilitates mounting of the washingdevice 100″′ on a vehicle.

The main opening 810 of the ring portion 802 of washer housing 800 isconfigured to receive a portion of sensor 20, such as the detecting head22 of sensor 20. A protective lens 24 may be provided around the sensorhead 22. The attachment side 812 of ring portion 802 is configured formounting washer housing 800 to shroud 200″′, in a manner similar to thatdescribed above with regard to engagement members 830 (FIG. 12A). Thewashing side 814 of washer housing 800, which is in fluid communicationwith fluid source attachment 804, frames the sensor head 22.

As seen in FIG. 15, fluid source attachment 804 extends from transitionportion 806 in a direction away from the washing side 814 of ringportion 802 (and toward shroud 200″′). Fluid source attachment 804 isangled with respect to ring portion 802, thereby defining an angle abetween a central longitudinal axis A of ring portion 802 and thelongitudinal axis B of fluid source attachment 804. In a preferredembodiment, the angle a is an acute angle to provide a compact washingdevice 100″′. Nozzles 820 (FIGS. 12A and 12B) of washer housing 800 arepositioned and function the same as described in the embodiment above.That is nozzles 820 are designed to discharge fluid received from fluidsource attachment 804 generally radially inwardly and downwardly towardsmain opening 810 and the sensor head 22.

Shroud 200″′ generally includes a front wall 1000, a rear wall 1002, aninner receiving portion 1004, sidewalls 1010 and 1012 extending betweenfront wall 1000 and rear wall 1002, and top and bottom walls 1014 and1016. Front wall 1000 has an opening 1006 that receives the detectinghead 22 of sensor 20. Opening 1006 preferably includes an extension 1008that extends from an outer surface of front wall 1000. Extension 1008may receive the ring and transition portions 802 and 806 of washerhousing 800. A body section 1009 inside of shroud 200″′ is shaped toreceive the body 26 of sensor 20.

When washer housing 800 is assembled with shroud 200″′, fluid sourceattachment 804 rests in a recessed cutout portion 1018 of the shroud'stop wall 1014, as best seen in FIGS. 16A and 16B. The angle a of fluidsource attachment 804 along with recessed cutout portion 1018 provides acompact design of washing device 100″′. Recessed cutout portion 1018 ispreferably above the body section 1009, as best seen in FIG. 15.

While particular embodiments have been chosen to illustrate theinvention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes and modifications can be made therein without departingfrom the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sensor washing device, comprising: a washerhousing including a ring portion and a fluid source attachment, saidfluid source attachment being configured to receive fluid, and said ringportion having, a main opening for receiving a detecting head of thesensor, an attachment side configured for mounting said washer housing,and a washing side configured to frame the detecting head of the sensor,said washing side being in fluid communication with said fluid sourceattachment, and a plurality of nozzles being disposed in a transitionportion of said washer housing between said ring portion and said fluidsource attachment of said washer housing, said plurality of nozzlesbeing configured to discharge fluid to said washer side radiallyinwardly towards said main opening for cleaning the detecting head ofthe sensor.
 2. A sensor washing device according to claim 1, whereinsaid fluid source attachment extends from said transition portion in adirection away from said washing side of said ring portion at an anglewith respect to a longitudinal axis of said ring portion.
 3. A sensorwashing device according to claim 2, wherein the angle is an acuteangle.
 4. A sensor washing device according to claim 1, wherein saidplurality of nozzles are defined by a plurality slots in said transitionportion that extend toward said main opening of said ring portion.
 5. Asensor washing device according to claim 1, wherein said plurality ofnozzles are located in said transition portion at a top of said ringportion; and a bottom of said ring portion is devoid of any nozzles. 6.A sensor washing device according to claim 1, wherein said attachmentside of said ring portion includes at least one engagement member.
 7. Asensor washing device, comprising: a sensor having a detecting head; ashroud having a front wall, a rear wall opposite said front wall, and aninner receiving portion, said front wall having an opening that receivesthe detecting head of the sensor lens; and a washer housing coupled to afront face of said receiving portion of said shroud, said washer housingincluding a ring portion and a fluid source attachment, said fluidsource attachment configured to receive fluid, and said ring portionhaving, a main opening generally aligned with said opening of said frontwall of said shroud, an attachment side configured to mount said washerhousing to said shroud, and a washing side that frames the detectinghead of the sensor, said washing side being in fluid communication withsaid fluid source attachment, and a plurality of nozzles being disposedin a transition portion of said washer housing between said ring portionand said fluid source attachment of said washer housing, said pluralityof nozzles being configured to discharge fluid to said washer side andradially inwardly towards said main opening that frames the detectinghead of the sensor.
 8. A sensor washing device according to claim 7,wherein said fluid source attachment extends from said transitionportion in a direction away from said washing side of said ring portionat an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of said ring portion. 9.A sensor washing system according to claim 8, wherein said shroudincludes sidewalls extending between said front wall and said rear wall,and top and bottom walls extending between said sidewalls, said top wallincluding a recessed cutout portion; and said fluid source attachment ofsaid washer housing rests in said recessed cutout portion.
 10. A sensorwashing device according to claim 9, wherein the angle of said fluidsource attachment is an acute angle.
 11. A sensor washing systemaccording to claim 7, wherein an inner surface of said opening of saidshroud includes at least one engagement member that engages acorresponding engagement member of said attachment side of said ringportion of said washer housing.
 12. A sensor washing device according toclaim 7, wherein said opening of said shroud includes an extension thatextends outwardly from said front wall of said shroud for receiving saidtransition and ring portions of said washer housing.
 13. A sensorwashing device according to claim 12, wherein said receiving portionincludes a body section inside of said shroud, said body section isshaped to receive the sensor.
 14. A sensor washing device according toclaim 13, wherein a top wall of said shroud includes a recessed cutoutportion that is above said body section of said receiving portion, saidrecessed cutout portion is configured to receive at least a portion ofsaid fluid source attachment of said washer housing.
 15. A sensorwashing device according to claim 7, wherein said plurality of nozzlesare located in said transition portion at a top of said ring portion.16. A sensor washing device according to claim 15, wherein a bottom ofsaid ring portion is devoid of any nozzles.
 17. A sensor washing deviceaccording to claim 7, wherein said plurality of nozzles being defined bya plurality of tabs extending from said transition portion toward saidmain opening of said ring portion, thereby forming fluid path slots ofsaid plurality of nozzles therebetween.